INTERNAL MEDICINE CASE RECORD
(ENDOCRINOLOGY / GENERAL DEPARTMENT - TRUNG VUONG HOSPITAL)
I. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| |
|---|
| Full name | Ngo Xuan Ky |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of birth | 10/10/1943 |
| Age | 83 years old |
| Address | 356/16/1 Go Dau, Tan Son Nhi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Health insurance number | LH24849214940074908 (BHYT) |
| Date of admission | 29/06/2026 at 16:55 |
| Ward / Room / Bed | Khoa Noi Tiet - Tong Hop / Phong 11 / Giuong BCa |
| Admitting doctor | BS. Truong Anh Minh |
| Referral source | Previously attended Thuong Nhat Hospital; no symptom relief; referred to Trung Vuong Hospital |
II. MEDICAL RECORD
1. Reason for Admission
Swelling and pain of the left foot 4th toe with pus discharge - acute gout attack with suspected secondary infection / osteomyelitis.
2. History of Present Illness
Mr. Ngo Xuan Ky, an 83-year-old male, was admitted on 29/06/2026 via the emergency department of Trung Vuong Hospital. He presented with a 4-month history of progressive swelling and redness of the left foot 4th toe.
He initially sought treatment at Thuong Nhat Hospital but did not experience symptom relief. He was subsequently admitted to Trung Vuong Hospital on 29/06/2026 for further management.
Presenting symptoms:
- Constant pain in the left 4th toe, rated 6/10 on the numerical pain scale
- Pain worsens on touch and with light pressure (on walking)
- White-coloured pus occasionally noted at the affected site
- Pain relieved by rest
- No radiation to other joints
- No joint stiffness
- No lumps or nodules detected
Functional impact:
- Pain on walking
- Unable to climb stairs
This is his second gout attack in 3 years. His first attack occurred approximately 3 years ago, affecting the right foot 4th toe; that toe was surgically removed in 2023. The current presentation is similar to the previous attack.
During his last attack he also developed pain in the knee joint; knee pain is still present at this admission. The right hand 3rd MCP joint has a known gout deposit. The right hand 2nd finger sustained trauma in younger age and developed a deformity; gout also affects the right 2nd finger.
3. Dietary and Lifestyle History
- Follows a specific low-purine diet: avoids all non-vegetarian food; does not eat red meat or seafood
- Alcohol: 2 to 3 times per year (occasional, minimal)
- No recent infection; no recent surgery
- No dehydration, no trauma, no excessive exercise reported
4. Past Medical History
- Hypertension - on antihypertensive medication for 4 years (medication name unknown)
- First gout attack 3 years ago (right foot 4th toe); surgical amputation of that toe in 2023
- Right hand: 3rd MCP joint gout; 2nd finger - old traumatic deformity with superimposed gout
- No known drug allergies
- No recent surgery
5. Family History
- No family history of gout or rheumatological disease
- No family history of renal or cardiovascular disease documented
6. Systems Review
| System | Findings |
|---|
| General | No fever, no fatigue, no weight loss |
| Musculoskeletal | Pain and swelling left 4th toe; knee pain; see examination |
| Cardiovascular | Normal |
| Respiratory | Normal |
| Gastrointestinal | Normal |
| Urinary | No urinary symptoms |
| Skin | No rashes; no ulceration; tenderness over affected toe |
| Neurological | No focal deficits |
7. Physical Examination
Vital Signs on Admission (29/06/2026 at 16:55):
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Pulse | 82 beats/min |
| Temperature | 37°C |
| Blood Pressure | 130/70 mmHg |
| Respiratory Rate | 20 breaths/min |
| SpO2 | 96% |
| BMI | 22.2 kg/m² |
| Glasgow Coma Scale | 15/15 |
General Condition: Conscious, alert, cooperative. Stable. No acute distress.
Musculoskeletal:
- Morning stiffness: Absent
- Left foot 4th toe: Mild swelling on observation; no active redness at time of examination
- Palpation: Crepitus noted over left foot region
- Patella tap test: Negative - no significant knee effusion
- Right hand 3rd MCP joint: Gout deposit noted
- Right hand 2nd finger: Old traumatic deformity with superimposed gout changes
- No tophi; no subcutaneous nodules
Cardiovascular: Heart sounds normal; regular rate and rhythm; no chest pain; no palpitations
Respiratory: Normal breathing; no cough; no oxygen requirement
Skin: No rashes; no ulceration; tenderness and pus (white discharge) at left 4th toe
8. Case Summary
Mr. Ngo Xuan Ky, an 83-year-old male with known gout (first attack 3 years ago, right 4th toe surgically removed 2023) and hypertension, presented with a 4-month history of swelling, pain, and pus discharge from the left 4th toe. This is his second gout attack. He maintains a low-purine diet and drinks alcohol only rarely. Examination revealed mild swelling, crepitus, and pus at the left 4th toe without active redness.
Laboratory results confirmed markedly elevated serum uric acid (519 µmol/L; ref 208-428), raised WBC (12.62 K/µL) with neutrophilia and significantly elevated immature granulocytes (IG# 0.34; ref 0-0.06), consistent with acute inflammatory and infective process. eGFR was mildly reduced at 58 mL/min/1.73m² (CKD Stage 3). ECG showed complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) with right axis deviation. Blood pressure mildly elevated at 130/70 mmHg.
Working diagnosis from the admitting team: Gout (M10) + localised skin/subcutaneous infection (L08) + suspected osteomyelitis left foot (M86.8).
9. Problem List
- Acute gout arthritis - left foot 4th toe (M10) - 2nd attack in 3 years
- Localised skin and subcutaneous infection, left foot (L08) - pus discharge
- Suspected osteomyelitis, left foot (M86.8) - pending imaging and biopsy confirmation
- Hyperuricaemia - serum uric acid 519 µmol/L (elevated)
- Leukocytosis with neutrophilia and elevated immature granulocytes - infective/inflammatory response
- Hypertension - on medication (name unknown)
- CKD Stage 3 - eGFR 58 mL/min/1.73m² (creatinine 111 µmol/L)
- Complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) with right axis deviation - ECG finding
- Knee joint pain (bilateral) - likely gout-related, ongoing
- Right hand gout deposits - 3rd MCP and 2nd finger
- History of right 4th toe amputation for gout (2023)
10. Differential Diagnosis
| Diagnosis | Supporting Reasoning |
|---|
| Acute gout arthritis (most likely) | Known gout history; markedly elevated uric acid 519 µmol/L; typical presentation with swollen painful digit; prior attacks same pattern; polyarticular gout involvement confirmed |
| Septic arthritis / Osteomyelitis | Pus discharge; raised WBC 12.62 with neutrophilia; markedly elevated IG# (immature granulocytes); 4-month indolent course; crepitus; admitting team coded M86.8 (suspected osteomyelitis) and L08 (localised infection) |
| Infected tophus (tophaceous gout with secondary infection) | Chronic polyjoint gout with pus could represent an infected tophus; consistent with longstanding hyperuricaemia and multi-site involvement |
| Cellulitis | Localised inflammation; however pus and bone-involvement suggestion favour deeper infection superimposed on gout |
| Diabetic foot infection | Less likely - glucose 5.2 mmol/L is normal; no documented DM; cannot be fully excluded without HbA1c |
11. Investigations
Haematology (29/06/2026):
| Test | Result | Unit | Reference Range | Flag |
|---|
| WBC | 12.62 | K/µL | 4.4 - 10.8 | HIGH |
| NEU# | 8.70 | K/µL | 2.0 - 6.9 | HIGH |
| NEU% | 69.0 | % | 49.0 - 72.0 | Normal |
| LYM# | 1.86 | K/µL | 0.6 - 3.4 | Normal |
| LYM% | 14.7 | % | 20.0 - 42.2 | LOW |
| MONO# | 1.43 | K/µL | 0.0 - 0.9 | HIGH |
| MONO% | 11.3 | % | 0.0 - 12 | Normal |
| EOS# | 0.24 | K/µL | 0.0 - 0.7 | Normal |
| EOS% | 1.9 | % | 0.0 - 7 | Normal |
| BASO# | 0.05 | K/µL | 0.0 - 0.2 | Normal |
| BASO% | 0.4 | % | 0.0 - 2.5 | Normal |
| IG# | 0.34 | K/µL | 0.0 - 0.06 | HIGH |
| IG% | 2.7 | % | 0.0 - 0.6 | HIGH |
| RBC | 4.41 | M/µL | 4.3 - 5.8 | Normal |
| HGB | 13.7 | g/dL | 13 - 16.3 | Normal |
| HCT | 41.1 | % | 38 - 50 | Normal |
| MCV | 93.2 | fL | 80.0 - 97.0 | Normal |
| MCH | 31.1 | pg | 27.2 - 31.2 | Normal |
| MCHC | 33.3 | g/dL | 31.8 - 35.4 | Normal |
| RDW | 13.5 | % | 11.5 - 14.8 | Normal |
| PLT | 292 | K/µL | 150 - 450 | Normal |
| MPV | 8.5 | fL | 5 - 10 | Normal |
Biochemistry (29/06/2026):
| Test | Result | Unit | Reference Range | Flag |
|---|
| Blood Glucose | 5.2 | mmol/L | 3.9 - 5.6 | Normal |
| Serum Creatinine | 111 | µmol/L | 59 - 104 | HIGH |
| Serum Uric Acid | 519 | µmol/L | 208 - 428 | HIGH |
| eGFR | 58 | mL/min/1.73m² | > 90 | LOW - CKD G3 |
| Na+ | 141 | mmol/L | 135 - 145 | Normal |
| K+ | 3.7 | mmol/L | 3.5 - 5.1 | Normal |
| Cl- | 105 | mmol/L | 98 - 108 | Normal |
| AST (GOT) | 16 | U/L | < 50 | Normal |
| ALT (GPT) | 14 | U/L | < 50 | Normal |
ECG (29/06/2026 at 17:30):
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Heart Rate | 73 bpm |
| PR Interval | 178 ms |
| P Duration | 130 ms |
| QRS Duration | 135 ms |
| QT/QTc | 410 / 451 ms |
| P/QRS/T Axis | 27.8 / 94.0 / 5.9 degrees |
| R(V5)/S(V1) | 0.65 / 0.28 mV |
| R(V5)+S(V1) | 0.94 mV |
| Conclusion | Normal sinus rhythm. Severe right axis deviation. Complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB). Report requires physician confirmation. |
Further Investigations Ordered:
- Left foot X-ray
- Chest X-ray
- Skin and subcutaneous tissue biopsy - left foot (functional investigation form ordered 29/06/2026)
- NT-proBNP
- Total protein analysis
12. Definitive Diagnosis
Primary Diagnoses:
- Gout (M10) - Acute gout arthritis, left foot 4th toe; second attack in 3 years
- Localised infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue, left foot (L08) with pus discharge
- Suspected Osteomyelitis, left foot (M86.8) - pending imaging and biopsy confirmation
Comorbidities:
- Hypertension - on antihypertensive medication (4 years; name unknown)
- CKD Stage 3 - eGFR 58 mL/min/1.73m²
- Complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) with right axis deviation
- History of right 4th toe amputation (2023) for gout
- Knee joint gout (ongoing bilateral knee pain)
- Tophaceous gout - right hand 3rd MCP and 2nd finger
13. Treatment Plan
A. Non-Pharmacological:
- Low-purine diet; continue avoidance of red meat and seafood; ensure adequate hydration
- Rest; elevate affected limb; reduce weight-bearing on left foot
- Regular wound dressing of left 4th toe
- Monitoring: blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiratory rate and SpO2 every 12 hours
- Nursing care: Class III
- Patient education: gout diet, medication adherence, wound monitoring, signs of worsening infection
B. Pharmacological Treatment (from medical order sheet 29/06/2026):
| Drug | Dose | Route | Frequency | Notes |
|---|
| Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) | 500 mg | Oral | 2 times/day (19:00 and at night) | Analgesia |
| Urate-lowering therapy (allopurinol / febuxostat) | Dose-adjusted for eGFR 58 | Oral | Per physician order | Pending - avoid initiating during acute attack unless already established |
| Colchicine | Low dose, renal-adjusted | Oral | Per physician order | Pending - adjust for CKD G3 |
| Antibiotics | As per culture sensitivity | IV / Oral | Per physician order | Pending biopsy and culture result |
C. Monitoring Plan:
- Daily wound assessment of left 4th toe
- Blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate every 12 hours
- Repeat uric acid and inflammatory markers (WBC) after treatment initiation
- Follow-up X-ray of left foot to assess for osteomyelitis
- Renal function (creatinine, eGFR) - monitor closely given CKD G3; critical for medication dosing
- NT-proBNP result - cardiac function assessment
- ECG follow-up - CRBBB and right axis deviation require cardiology review
- Await biopsy result and cultures for definitive microbiological diagnosis
Treating Physician: BS. Truong Anh Minh
Hospital: Trung Vuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
Department: Khoa Noi Tiet - Tong Hop (Endocrinology / General)
Admission Date: 29/06/2026
Record Date: 02/07/2026